In  one brief moment, collision alters myriad lives

July 20, 2022

Dustin Drapeau and family

While neither driver resided here, a two-vehicle head-on collision on Highway 95 near Kootenai Trail Road at mile 500.5 Saturday evening has forever changed the lives of many in North Idaho, not only the families of the two drivers involved, Dustin Drapeau and Vonda Esh, but their extended families and friends as well, including many in Boundary County.

Dustin Cody Drapeau, 28, the son of Cody Drapeau and step mother Shannon, Libby, and Christine Miller and step-father Douglas, Coeur d'Alene, grew up in Bonners Ferry, graduating from Bonners Ferry High School in 2012 before moving to Coeur d'Alene. He worked his way up in the culinary arts, and worked as a chef at Old European Restaurant in Post Falls. He and Jennifer Doering had been together for a long time, had a son, Cameron, who is 14 months old, and they were engaged to be married. They each brought a child to the family.

Her parents, Roger and Laurie Doering, had planned to hold a celebration at their Northwoods Tavern in Naples. Instead, the Northwoods will be the site of the memorial service and potluck for the man they already considered their son-in-law at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 23.

A fund to help Jennifer and their children has been established at Idaho Central Credit Union, and all donations great and small are appreciated. Donations can be made at any ICCU branch, mailed to 1410 N Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, or by telephone, (208) 667-7722. Contributions can also be made through Venmo to @Jennifer-Doering-15.

Vonda Esh and family

Vonda Esh, 30, Cocolalla, was driving the white 2002 Chevrolet Silverado that was hit that night. She had been working in her garden all that day, and was moving plants to a new plot on property the family was moving to in Moyie Springs when the collision occurred. She and her husband, Marlin, have two young sons, ages six and nine. She is the eldest daughter of Veasy and Valerie Glenn, owners of Swartzendruber's Bake Haus & Deli in Sagle, closed now as they help care for their daughter's family.

Transported by ambulance to Boundary Community Hospital, she was later flown to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of extensive injuries; four broken ribs, a punctured lung, multiple pelvic fractures and severe damage to her feet. She is facing an extended hospital stay with multiple surgeries, and doctors say it will be months before she will be able to walk.

"We are praying for healing and trusting God to come through in mighty ways on her behalf," her family said.

An account has been set up to help Vonda and her family on GoFundMe. "If God is touching your heart to help this young family, please consider financially donating towards the astronomical medical bills that they are facing," organizers wrote.

This article has been corrected and updated with new information.